From Feb 2023

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DT6DQatDCuV/

Listening to music you love lowers your pain threshold.  Dutch anesthesia-pain researchers studied the perception of pressure- and electrically-induced pain in 415 subjects.  Tolerance for both types of pain was better for those listening to their preferred brands of music rather than music they found annoying.  One odd finding: listening to music you hate prior to that you love improved its pain-reducing effect.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0280036

#pain #music #preferred #disliked

From Jan 2024

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DT6A_3Ejv-N/

Even minimal alcohol and tobacco use by pregnant women affects their child’s brain performance later.  This the conclusion of a multisite, collaborative study helmed by Columbia University psychiatrists.  The researchers reviewed the brain wave studies of 649 children at various ages from 5 to 11 years looking at abnormalities as a function of maternal exposures to alcohol and/or tobacco.

The good news is that 52% of the children’s mothers used NO alcohol and 87% did NOT smoke tobacco.  The remainder of children demonstrated significant brain wave aberrations in association with their mothers’ exposures.  Looking at alcohol exposures, children who mothers continued drinking through pregnancy evidenced double the EEG abnormalities compared with those who mothers discontinued drinking after the first trimester.  Tobacco smoking during pregnancy led to significant EEG changes in the young offspring, but, interestingly enough, more so in young boys.

Other studies have shown that maternal alcohol and tobacco abuse are associated with childhood hyperactivity, cognitive malfunctions, memory issues, and impaired learning.  This study, the first to look at mild to moderate drinking and smoking during pregnancy, confirms that ANY alcohol and/or tobacco consumption has long-term consequences for a growing child.  There is no safe amount of smoking or drinking that won’t affect your child’s developing brain just as there is no such thing as a “touch of pregnancy!”

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2813608

#alcohol #tobacco #EEG #hyperactivity #cognitive #memory

From Jan 2024

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DT6AdpPjloq/

When most people encounter someone half conscious on the street, fewer than 1 in 5 Americans know how to use the automated external defibrillators placed in strategic public locations. It’s a shame since half of those suffering a cardiac arrest outside a hospital will be brought back to life with a timely shock. That’s the tragedy documented by University of Texas Southwestern cardiologists who reviewed some 10,000 patients with cardiac standstill.

These AED devices are lifesaving if you know how to use them and have the guts to pull them off the wall and deploy them.  To give you the confidence to save lives of friends, neighbors, strangers, and, maybe your family, I want you to watch this excellent video by the Washington Post featuring Dr. Landon Mueller of MedStar Health.

(Video)

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2813619

#AED #automatedexternaldefibrillator #cardiacarrest 

Best of: Anorexia Endangers Teen Boys More Than Girls

From Feb 2024

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DT5_p-MDf-o/

Boys as well as girls do starve themselves to death.  In fact, the mortality rate of anorexia nervosa is 1.5 to 6 times higher for males than females.

The guys most at risk for developing anorexia are those engaged in so-called strength focused sports including cycling, running, and wrestling.  The male groups who most often suffer anorexia include those that are racially diverse, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.  Those in these groups tend to fast, purge, excessively exercise, and use body building drugs such as anabolic steroids.

Anorexia is associated with significant disruptions in metabolism including electrolytes, lipids, and bone nutrition.  It upsets both cardiovascular and. gastrointestinal functionality.

Of most importance, this disease is life-threatening.  Karen Carpenter succumbed to it and her beautiful singing voice was silenced by a heart attack at age 32. Anorexia’s standardized mortality rate has been reported to be as high as 16%.  The reported rate for females with anorexia is 5-fold higher than than for the general population.  For males, it could be as much as 30-fold higher.

If your son or grandson is engaged in activities or is a member of a vulnerable group, do all you can to help him seek an evaluation and care.  Don’t look back later and regret that you didn’t do more.

https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/196/6/E191.full.pdf

https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/Fulltext/2021/11000/Incidence,_prevalence_and_mortality_of_anorexia.2.aspx

#anorexia #males #females #teens #death

anorexia, males, females, teens, death

From March 2024

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DT5_FagjbAj/

Heartburn is common. At least 1 in every 4 persons in North America have it, and

it seems that nearly everyone you know is on some type of acid-suppressing

medicine, prescription or over-the-counter or both. With the trend toward using

food as medicine, let’s look at the foods that can help you control gastric acid and

heartburn.

Melons including cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and bananas. Melons have

low acid content so they don’t add to the acid your stomach produces. Same is

true for bananas.

Green vegetables including broccoli, asparagus, green beans, celery, and

cauliflower are low acid and healthy.

Fish don’t contribute to acid problems. Grill, bake or poach it. No frying.

Lean chicken, turkey, and beef are low acid. Don’t fry or eat the skin. Fatty

versions will trigger heartburn.

Egg whites have good protein and are low acid.

Then the carbs:

Oatmeal has fiber which helps your gi system keep moving.Whole-grain bread has lots of vitamins, minerals, but isn’t acidic.

Rice is another healthy carb without acid but plenty of fiber.

Root vegetables and Potatoes including sweet ones, beets, turnips, and carrots.

No onions. Other root vegetables are specifically anti-acid: ginger, fennel, parsley.

Eat healthy and put out that fire in your chest.

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/foods-that-fight-heartburn

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8966100/

#heartburn #reflux

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlicWuj-xa/

Lead contamination poses a serious health risk as it poisons the nervous system and is particularly toxic for children.

This recalled shrimp paste was sold directly at two retail stores located in Iowa and New Jersey between April 2023 and December 2023.

Do not consume this recalled Klong Kone Shrimp Paste and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Gusto Group Inc. by phone at 1-862-264-6774 or by email at [email protected].

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gusto-group-inc-recalls-shrimp-paste-klong-kone-454-g-1-lbs-and-910-g-2-lbs-because-possible-health

#klongkone #shrimppaste #lead #poison #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlh0E_DU3N/

This supplement is marketed for metabolism boosting, improving brain function, and reducing cravings. It illegally contains undeclared 1,4-DMAA, a stimulant, aniracetam, a cognitive enhancer, and tianeptine, an anti-depressant.  These substances are not approved for use in dietary supplements and pose serious health risks. The recall applies to all lots of Modern Warrior Ready capsules.

This recalled product was sold at retail locations in the US and sold online. Sales occurred between April 2022 and December 2025.

Stop using this product immediately. Return the product to the place or website of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Modern Warrior by phone at 1-314-713-1984 or via email at [email protected].

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/modern-warrior-recalls-modern-warrior-ready-dietary-supplement-due-undeclared-14-dmaa-and-aniracetam

#modernwarrior #supplement #14dmaa #aniracetal #tianeptine #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlhPLsjq8g/

Those with wheat or gluten sensitivities or who have celiac disease can develop serious allergic reactions. Affected are Hingwastik Churna Powder batch number 622-2, Hingwastika Extract capsules batch number 133-14, and Gastro Care capsules batch number 124-4.

These products were sold nationwide in the US via mail order.

Do not not consume these recalled produces if you have a wheat or gluten allergy or sensitivity or have celiac disease. Contact HerbsForever LLC by email at [email protected] for instructions on how to return the products and receive a full refund.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/herbsforever-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-herbsforever-brand-dietary-supplements

#herbsforever #hingwastik #gastrocare #wheat #gluten #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlgmJxlf-0/

This supplement contains undeclared meloxicam, a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sold under the brand name Mobic, used to relieve pain and inflammation from conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Dangerous side effects can include heart attack, stroke, serious gastrointestinal bleeding, and kidney injury. Prescription drugs are not permitted in any over-the-counter dietary supplements. The recall applies to all lots and all expiration dates of these Silintan capsules.

These recalled Silintan capsules were sold at US retail locations and online through 123herbals.com. 

Stop using this product, and return it to the place of purchase or the website for a refund or discard it.  If you are taking blood thinners or other anti-inflammatory medications, consult your medical team especially if you experience any of the symptoms I mentioned.

For more information, consumers can contact Anthony Trinh, 123Herbals LLC by phone at 1-626-656-3202 or by email at [email protected].

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/anthony-trinh-123herbals-llc-123herbalscom-issues-nationwide-recall-silintan-capsules-due-presence

#silintan #meloxicam #nsaid #bleeding #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlf9R4iQCv/

Those with allergies egg and or milk could develop a serious or life-threatening reaction should they consume this product. The affected breadcrumbs have an expiration date of May 20, 2026.

These recalled bread crumbs were sold at Colorado retail stores and via mail order between November 2025 and December 2025.

Do not consume this product if you have an egg or milk allergy. Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact VH Foods Inc. by phone at 1-719-633-3434.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vh-foods-inc-dba-outside-breadbox-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-and-milk-bread-crumbs

#outsidethebreadbox  #breadcrumbs #egg #milk #allergy #recall